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US Auto Thefts
The FBI estimates that a car is stolen every 27 seconds somewhere
in the US. For the first time since 1990, the number of motor vehicle
thefts reported in the US in 2000 increased from the previous year’s
figure. FBI statistics show that 1,165,559 autos were stolen in
the US during 2000, a 1.2% increase from 1999’s 1,152,075 thefts.
The estimated value of vehicle theft approached $7.8 billion in
2000.
2000 monthly figures reveal the highest percentage of vehicles
was stolen during July and August, while February and April were
lowest. Historically, the number of thefts is highest in the nation’s
most heavily populated metropolitan areas.
Auto thief profiles
The profiles of auto thieves are noteworthy. Some continue to be
the small-time hoodlums or “joy riders.” Others are likely
to be well-trained, well-seasoned professionals, who are the kingpins
of multi-million-dollar operations. In years past, the principal
theft problem was created by youths who used stolen vehicles for
“joy rides.” According to the FBI, in 2000 there were
an estimated 148,225 arrests for motor vehicle thefts. 66.5% of
those arrested were under age 25, and those under 18 comprised 34.3%
of the total.
Theft facts
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a stolen
vehicle will likely resurface in the marketplace. The second time,
however, it will most likely be piecemeal, compliments of a “chop
shop.” These steal-to-order garages slice and strip stolen
vehicles for any unmarked salvageable part that can be resold. It
takes skilled cutters only about 30–45 minutes to reduce a
car into salable parts.
Fraud also plays a role in the auto theft picture. According to
NICB conservative estimates, 10% of vehicle theft reports countrywide
are fraudulent. Reports may be filed on cars that never existed
or were actually sold or destroyed.
Theft prevention measures
Much is being done to prevent auto theft—new federal standards,
stronger door latches, increased use of key combinations, warning
buzzers, design changes, better identification and documentation,
and other security improvements have contributed.
Law enforcement agencies also have sophisticated “hardware”
to aid in the reduction of auto theft. The National Crime Information
Center (NCIC) enables police to immediately verify the identification
of any vehicle they suspect to be stolen. NCIC is a computerized
system, operated by the FBI, serving all law enforcement agencies
in the US. The system’s stolen vehicle files allow agencies
to immediately enter stolen vehicle reports and to access existing
records. The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) offers subscribers
access to its claims database, which tracks auto theft information
from thousands of insurers. Click
here for details about ISO’s ClaimSearch system.
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 1989–2000
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LoJack markets the most widely used stolen
vehicle recovery technology used by law enforcement in the world.
Its radio frequency-based system is automatically activated
when police are notified of a vehicle or equipment theft. It
emits a silent radio signal that police cruisers, equipped with
a tracking unit, will pick up leading them to the stolen equipment.
Over 40,000 stolen vehicles equipped with the LoJack system
have been recovered by law enforcement, with a 90% recovery
rate.
(LoJack Corporation, 9/25/01) |
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